Cath Empringham, Ellas Kitchen

Source: Ella’s Kitchen

Empringham joined Ella’s Kitchen in 2011 as finance director and was promoted to deputy head in January 2015

Tributes have been paid to Cath Empringham, MD of Ella’s Kitchen, who died on 21 February.

In a statement, Ella’s Kitchen said Empringham would be remembered for her amazing personality, love for her family, and as part of the “beating heart” of the brand.

CEO Mark Cuddigan hailed her as an “inspirational managing director”, who played a “major role in all our success and making Ella’s Kitchen the special place it is”.

“The team at Ella’s Kitchen will miss her leadership, her friendship, her guidance, her wisdom and her incredible laugh.”

HR director Catherine Allen added: “I feel honoured to have worked closely with Cath for eight years. She was a wonderful female leader role model: formidably clever, always adding value to discussions, brimming with energy yet always placing family first in her own life and for her team.”

Empringham joined Ella’s Kitchen in 2011 as finance director and, following her instrumental role in the sale of the brand to Hain Celestial, was promoted to deputy head in January 2015. She was made MD in July 2019.